Crowds wait for chance to see tigers, lions at Beaufort Flea Market (Photos + video)
At Beaufort Liquidation's reopening on Saturday, past the 50-cent bins of kids' toys and plastic dog bowls, the racks of aquarium kits and tables of clothes and shoes, a crowd of people stood waiting to see owner Jeff Lowe's big cats.
Some perused the low-cost items, but most came specifically for a peek at the seven tigers and two lions that Lowe houses at the back of his flea market's indoor warehouse.
A screened chain-link fence separates the animals from the market. Spectators can see them only on free, guided tours, said Lowe's wife, Kathy.
Lowe began one such tour on Saturday morning by telling the group, "Enjoy this tour, because it's costing me about $2,000."
When Lowe announced on Facebook on March 29 that he would be reopening the Parker Drive facility, a firestorm erupted from people opposed to his owning exotic animals in captivity and from Beaufort County officials, who say displaying his pets at the market is not permitted under the zoning laws for that location.
The fine for violating the zoning laws can be nearly $2,000 a day, county attorney and deputy administrator Josh Gruber has said.
It is legal to own big cats in South Carolina, and Beaufort County does not have any regulations specific to the animals.
However, advertising the flea market by noting the animals will be on display turns that display into a commercial zoo that Lowe is making money from, Gruber said.
Lowe and his family contend they are simply helping animals in need and are not keeping them for financial gain.
"These guys aren't dying to run around and attack. They wouldn't survive in the wild. (Captivity) is all they've ever known," Lowe's daughter Ashley said. She spoke of how mellow the animals are, how the tigers have sandpaper tongues like house cats and love to play.
Jeff Lowe said his tigers like to watch National Geographic.
During the tour, a 1-year-old lioness named Lyla jumped up and pawed at Lowe's arm through her cage. He patted her paw affectionately.
His son Taylor scratched behind the ears of a lounging 400-pound Siberian tiger named Clay.
Afterward, many tour-goers shook Lowe's hand and offered words of support. Lowe vowed that he'll continue to show people his cats, even if he has to sue the county.
Lowe said about 1,000 people came to the facility on Saturday to see the big cats, and he gave 22 tours
He said he can absorb the cost of the fines for "quite a while."
This story was originally published April 5, 2015 at 9:58 AM with the headline "Crowds wait for chance to see tigers, lions at Beaufort Flea Market (Photos + video)."